Team Goemkarponn
PORVORIM: The Goa Directorate of Education has issued a stringent circular restricting external programmes in schools after a police intelligence report flagged the activities of the Student Islamic Organization of India (SIO) in educational institutions across the state.
The circular states that the Directorate acted on a communication from the North Goa District Magistrate based on a report by the Superintendent of Police, Special Branch. The report says SIO operates in various parts of the country, including Goa, and raises concerns over its ideological influence and activities perceived to be potentially anti-social and anti-national. It further states that the organisation has been conducting programmes in educational institutions in Goa, necessitating vigilance to safeguard national security and communal harmony.
Following the report, the Directorate has made prior written approval compulsory before any external individual, organisation or group can conduct seminars, lectures, awareness programmes or student interactions in schools. Institutions must submit details of the organisation, speakers and programme content for scrutiny before permission is granted.
The circular also mandates faculty supervision of all approved programmes, post-event reporting, maintenance of records of external visitors and immediate reporting of suspicious activities. Zonal officers have been directed to conduct periodic inspections, while any violation of the guidelines may invite disciplinary action.
